Web 2.0 Sites

On this page you will find a list of some of the many websites based around Web 2.0 education. It would be impossible to compile them all as they are simply too many but below you will find links to the ones which I personally find most useful along with a basic description of what their aim is.
Enjoy, don't be afraid to take a risk, it usually pays off!
(If you are a Rodillian student please sign up to the sites using your school email address, which is your school username plus @leedslearning.net and set your password to be your school password)
Animoto - Animoto is one of the Web 2.0 alternatives to outdated slideshows. Videos, music and images can all be used here.
Audacity - Audacity is a cross-platform sound editor. The program allows you to record and edit sounds. This is a very useful tool in MFL.
Flickr - Flickr is an online photo storage site. A fantastic place for finding images to go on your Web 2.0 presentations.
Glogster - Glogster is the Web 2.0 way to make posters. Plain paper and coloured pencils are no longer needed in the MFL classroom thanks to this fantastic site. You can add text, backgrounds, images etc then print off your poster and create a truly wonderful classroom display.
GoAnimate - GoAnimate allows you to make cartoon videos. There is a whole bank of images and music stored on the site and you can also upload your own. You can make them as complex or as simple at you wish.
Issuu - Issuu is in my opinion totally amazing. It is basically a Web 2.0 magazine creator. No, it isn't as complex as it sounds. I am hoping to start creating one in the very near future with some of my groups.
Jing - Jing is amazing. It is the Web 2.0 version of the simplistic Screenshot built into all computers. It allows you to screen shot any part of your screen, make notes on it just as you can with a standard doc. Then you send the link to whoever you want and they can see what you have been doing on your computer. Look at the demo' video on the home page, it's only 2 minutes long.
Mixbook - Mixbook is essentially a photo book making website (but do offer online scrapbooking too). You upload photos, arrange them nicely, add captio ns then make an order for a hard copy to be delivered to you. However, why confine such a cool website to it's intended purpose when there are other ways to use it?! In MFL I like to use it to consolidate a topic. Add images of relevant things, add captions in the target language. The photo books are saved to your account so you can view them at any time.
Pixton - The comic medium – the art of combining words and images – is a powerful form of visual communication, and when placed in an interactive learning environment, becomes an invaluable tool for teaching and learning. Yes, another comic creator! See how fun learning MFL can be?
Spelling City - A really fun way to learn new vocabulary in MFL. Add the words on the Home Page and select your choice.
SSuite Office Software - Not everyone has Microsoft Office on their home computers. This office software is free to download. The application contains a full set of Office applications including spreadsheet, wordprocessing, email, browser, label printer, pdf creator and address book.
Toondoo - Toondoo is probably the most user friendly cartoon animation creating site I have come across yet. It's simplistic "drag & drop" system allows cartoons to be created in minutes. These can then be embedded on the MFL weblog, or even onto Bebo & MySpace. Easy to use but the possibilites are endless.
Voicethread - Voicethread is a pretty amazing program. It allows groups of people to comment on an image (etc) via 5 different means; telephone, webcam, word file upload, textbox. The comments appear in various ways around the image. Seemingly technical but actually rather straightforward.
Voki - Voki is an old favourite of mine. It allows you to create speaking avatars in a very easy way. These can then be embedded in our weblog or on other sites. You can choose whether to have the built in voices or you can go one step further and add an Audacity sound file to the avatar.
Wikispace - This is the link to Rodillian MFL Wikispace. It is open for all to contribute to. That means both staff and students. If you are a student and would like to contribute something but are unsure please see Mrs Palmer who will guide you.
Zoho - Zoho is a cool site if you are a bit of an exhibitionist. All of the Powerpoint files which you have made which are stored in your userspace that no one ever sees.. Zoho allows you to create, share and work together on presentations. No need for email attachments. Simplicity.